Yarraman Stock Route
Photo © The Stock Route Coalition
The Regulatory Impact Statement - (RIS) - Stock Route Network Management Regulation 2009 has been released by Department of Environment and Resource Management for comment. A RIS is designed to determine if a proposed Regulation is the most efficient and effective way of achieving the desired policy outcomes. The RIS explains the need for the proposed legislation and presents an evaluation of the costs and the benefits that would flow. The Government deliberations are supposedly clearly documented and subject to public scrutiny. Closing date for comment is 19 October 2009.
The Stock Route Network management Bill and Regulation will replace the stock route management provisions in the Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Act 2002 and Land Protection (Pest and Stock Route Management) Regulation 2003.
Wildlife Queensland together with other members of the Stock Routes Coalition have been lobbying and liaising with Ministers and senior Departmental staff for an extended period for the Stock Route network to be retained and its management enhanced.
This RIS provides policy objectives and legislative intent for the new legislation as well as considerable discussion on the costs and associated benefits. However the devil is always in the detail and until the Bill sees the light of day the possibility of significant surprises is always there.
In the interim it appears that many of the major issues raised and fought for have been addressed in an acceptable way.
- The Stock Route Network will be retained
- All values of the stock route network will be protected
- Stock Route divided into various categories based on degree of activity and using a transparent and accountable method
- Annual Grazing permits that will be assessed in accordance with approved Delbessie standards appears to address the static grazing that is so inappropriate
- Protection of areas of high conservation value and cultural heritage
- Expansion of the Stock Route Assessment Panel to include conservation and aboriginal cultural heritage interests
There are increased costs for the use of the Stock Route network but whether or not these increases are adequate has yet to be addressed by the Stock Routes Coalition. It is unclear as to the Governments commitment to a plan for the entire network. Whether or not sufficient attention is being given to the role stock routes will play in addressing climate change is questionable. A detailed study of the RIS has yet to be undertaken to ensure major desirable omissions have not occurred.
You can download the RIS from the Queensland Government website. Wildlife Queensland will be making a formal submission. An outline of major issues to be addressed will be on this website by 7 October for those who need any guidance in preparing their comments.
Read more about stock routes.
For more information on Wildlife Queensland's activities, call us on +61 7 3221 0194 or send us an email. |
